Bake Sales: Let Them Eat Junk!

What is it about bake sales that is making them the focal point of more acrimony than national health care? My God -- can't we sell the kids a couple of cupcakes, pocket enough quarters to buy the school a field trip, and let the kids ingest an iota of sugar and joy?

Apparently not. For reasons ranging from allergies to obesity to what looks like food neurosis whipped with essence of Wicked Witch, bake sales are increasingly off limits at schools across the country. Or they are being twisted into new and hideous shapes: Yes, you can hold a bake sale, but only if you sell health food. Or only once a month, or after school hours. (Very helpful.) Or only if -- this really frosts my donut -- you sell pre-packaged, portion-controlled snacks and avoid all homemade goodies.

That's the new law in my sleepy little burg -- New York City. If you think it can't happen out by you, please recall that, despite the brown stuff in our air and rats in our subways, New York is a health trendsetter. We were the first city to outlaw transfats, and one of the first to ban smokers from bars. We mandated calorie counts on the overhead menus in fast food chains. So when our mayor sets his sights on snickerdoodles, watch out.

What foods has hizzoner deemed acceptable? There's a list of about 30 things, including two types of Doritos and Whole Grain Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tarts. (Not the #1 flavor my kids are clamoring for. Yours?) Homemade treats are verboten because they don't have labels on them, and the mayor doesn't want kids waddling off with any treat that's more than 35 percent fat or sugar. Grain-based products must also contain at least 2 grams of fiber.

Look, I'm all for healthy food in the lunch room -- I'm all for identifiable food in the lunchroom -- and I understand about allergies. Let's make sure there are always some store-bought treats for the kids who can't risk an unidentified cookie.

But beyond that, the bake sale is supposed to be a morale booster. A reason to get on that school bus. The sale is to lunch what recess is to reading logs. And it's lucrative!

Last year, when my son was in 5th grade, our school raised $400 a week from the zillions of cupcakes moms brought in. Cupcakes that cost pennies apiece, because they were baked from scratch or a mix, not purchased in six packs for $3 or $4 at the store. Often, the kids helped make them. How else do you think they learn fractions?

Well now there's a new lesson for them to learn: Civil disobedience. Have them march in with a tray of Rice Krispies Treats.

"What are they going to do? Send in the cops?" asks Nancy McDermott, a writer and fed-up mom girding for battle.

It's time to take back the bake sale, America. And if we need it, there's even a song. All together, now! "Keep Your Eyes on The Pies."
Related: Bake Sales Get Banned in NYC

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TheTalkies:RelatedVideos

UC Berkeley GOP Hold 'Diversity Bake Sale'A satirical bake sale at the University of California, Berkeley, that was designed to protest affirmative action drew several dozen sweet-toothed supporters along with hundreds of critics Tuesday. (Sept. 27)

Berkeley Students Condemn 'Diversity Bake Sale'A Republican group at the University of California, Berkeley has cooked up controversy with a plan to hold an "Increase Diversity Bake Sale" as a way to oppose legislation that would allow public colleges to consider race in student admissions. (Sept. 26)

Berkeley Bake Sale Explained on FoxCollege Republicans at U.C. Berkeley decided to have a bake sale that charged different prices based on race and gender. It was a stunt to show their opposition to a new California law allowing universities to consider race and gender in their admissions process. Quel surprise! Fox has a totally over-the-top take from one of it's own and a totally rational discussion -- from the students.

ReaderComments (Page 1 of 15)

That is ridiculous. When will people learn that moderation is key. Why do the people that understand this have to suffer for the few that can't control themselves? Oh yea, because why do it yourself when the government can do it for you.

hey mommies out there....stop being such thick heads....get a life! Give to YOUR kids as many sweets as you wish, who is to stop you?? Ridiculous, shoving $400 worth of sweets into kids bodies! You don't have a clue, do you?

I thought I agreed with this until I discovered they were selling to elementary school students during the school day. Sorry, but in the school district my kids attend here in trend setting California, we are not allowed whatsoever to raise money off of young students during the school day, period. And I agree with this especially when you're doing it with enticing junk food. Sorry, maybe if you were selling it to the parents it would be okay, but going into an elementary school and selling anything to students to raise money is wrong.

the Obama machine is off the mark again! the biggest problem facing this country is not obesity but drugs. bring back nancy reagan JUST SAY NO! the Lets Move campaign is a great idea but lets get REAL!

We used to have a bake sale at the Parents' Night at school. Everyone came to visit their childrens' classrooms and the bake sale was always packed. People enjoyed baking things for it and buying things there, but the green meanies decided something could be "wrong" with a home baked good so we could only bring store bought / packaged goods. Ridiculous, but they must have been pleased that no one ever brought / bought a homemade goodie again... or any other. No one bothered with the bake sale again. Some people are like that, they like to have control over others and usually end up spoiling a good thing. They also decided no more home baked cupcakes/cookies at class parties. What noodges.

People are out of control! Keep selling your cupcakes. My kids loved getting ready for a bake sale. Baking are the best memories we have. The cash made for the school is the icing on the cake. The memory will last a lifetime! We all survived. Too many people want to control too many things. My daughter is allergic to peanuts and many other things but she has learned how to live a normal life without restricting the world around her.

If they're that worried about allergies and portion control and all that, why not bring in a copy of the recipe with the goodies? If something looks good, the kid can scan the recipe to be sure he won't blow up like a balloon. Otherwise, the principal can continue scratching his head or his ass, whichever he prefers.

Well, my favorite part of all of this is they are so health conscience, but allow prepackaged snakes. These products are full of hydrogenated oils, and loaded with extra sugars from HFCS. The healthiest treats are those made at home by parents. They contain far less sugar, and no added chemicals.

Kids were healthy when they played out side...rode their bikes...played until the street lights came on after supper... But today they just sit and veg in front of computers..or do homework.. or watch TV. I rode my bike all day ..when miles from home. Today you fear some creep will snatch them if they're at the end of the street. Kids need to MOVE! and wear off the cup cake.

It's just not the nutrition..it's the crazy people who lace the food with items, it's the kids that are deathly allergic to peanuts and other food items and could DIE from a cupcake...and it's health issues. Who knows WHAT someones house contains on the counter.

i am so sick of all the crap coming out of albany--do they have nothing better to do--i suppose they never ate a cookie or ice cream or drank whole milk and even a soda as a child--maybe if they would get off their duff and try to fix real preoblems--like our horrible state of economic failure we are in we would be better off and then we wouldn't have to worry about what our kids eat--why not pack your own lunch and then you can eat what you want--who can stop you then

It is up to us ,as parents ,to teach your children good eating habits. A bake sale every now and can be a great teaching tool. In moderation even a sugery snack is ok. I have beeen involved in bake sales for my childrens schools for years, every item is .25$ ,some kids come with 3-5$ and will spend it all! As for not eating other peoples homemade foods, guessing you never eat out, the health dept is not mandating the resturant business on an every day basis. Build a bubble for yourselfs and your kids and hop on in

It should be up to the parents to set an example to eat right, and exercise not the schools. Moderation is good. If the kids stay off of the computor,and tv and play outside more, there might not be as much obestiy as there is now. It is defenitly up to the parents. Keep the school out of it.

Its not so much the unhealthy aspects of the food concerning todays obesity problem in our children but how the "homemade" food was prepared....hands washed? How clean was the kitchen, where the food was prepared? Children are getting sick because some food aren't prepared in the best of conditions....

Vehicle emissions, polluted air and filthy streets in NYC, food additives in prepackaged foods, trans fat in store bought cakes and cookies are the real threat to children. A good old fashioned bake sale is a good thing and brings people together as long as it's kept simple. Fat mothers are making their children fat.

Hey people, wouldn't you think the reason why kids are fat today is they don't get enough excersize. Moderation in their diet is most definetly the answer & take those electronics away. My goodness the kids don't even know how to talk anymore. When you sit all day in school & the sit the rest of the day at home what do you expect??? The schools need to go back to mandatory P.E. again. I went to Jr. high & high school in the 50's & we didn't have but a couple of a little overweight kids & today when we are celebrating our 55th high school reunion most of the people are still in good shape. What does that tell you?

At my kids last school they could not bring any homemade stuff for sharing in the classroom. The idea was that too many people do stupid things that could hurt the kids. For this school it wasn't about eating healthy, it was about ensuring the safety of the children from the possibility of anyone doing anything to hurt them.

TheTalkies

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